This chapter really struck a chord with me, as I certainly "played the game" for much of my school years. However, I can say personally that a good teacher could make a difference. In classes where the teacher was engaging, asked difficult, analytical questions, and encouraged class discussions, I participated much more frequently, put more effort into my assignments, and could honestly say that I felt pride in my work. In other classes, the teachers seemed to encourage "the game." They would just tell us to show up on time, hand in our assignments when they were due, and don't be disruptive during the class. And that's what I would do, and nothing more. I would get an A+ in the class, but wouldn't actually learn anything. The real problem is the emphasis on tests/grades over actual learning. Anyone can cram the night before a test, memorize some terms, and get an A, but if you do that, you're not learning anything. But it's viewed as acceptable all the same.